Just in time for the annual EVO fighting game tournament this weekend, PlayStation has detailed more information about its upcoming wireless PS5 and PC fightstick–which we now know is called the FlexStrike–slated to launch sometime in 2026, thanks to a new PlayStation Blog post.
Originally dubbed “Project Defiant,” the PlayStation FlexStrike fight stick controller was an unexpected surprise announcement at PlayStation’s June 2025 State of Play presentation. It’s Sony’s first official fight stick, and as such, it utilizes the PlayStation Link wireless connection, which enables several cool features on the PS5, including the ability to pair a wireless PlayStation Pulse headset or earbuds for simultaneous, lag-free audio. You can also connect two FlexStrike fight sticks to one PS5 at the same time for local multiplayer.
The FlexStrike will feature an eight-button layout and a joystick with a black and white color scheme that matches the look of the PS5 and other official peripherals. According to Sony, it will feature a “sturdy, ergonomic design for a comfortable feel during intense fight sessions. It’s unclear how moddable the FlexStrike will be, but so far, Sony has confirmed it will have three different movement gates for the joystick–square, circle, or octagon–that can be swapped out without needing tools. There will be a built-in compartment for storing the extra restrictor gates and the included PS Link USB adapter when not in use.
As for the rest of the inputs, the eight main face buttons (which map to Cross, Circle, Square, Triangle, R1, R2, L1, and L2) use mechanical switches. The rest of the standard inputs from the PS5’s DualSense controller are also present on the fight stick, including:
- PS Button
- Share Button
- PlayStation Link Button
- L3 Button
- R3 Button
- Touch Pad
- Options Button
There is also a Lever Mode Switch for changing how the stick operates and a Lock Button. You’ll be able to wake up the PS5 from sleep mode using the FlexStrike’s PS Button. The FlexStrike will also include a sling carry case, which we got a glimpse of in the new PlayStation blog post.
Unfortunately, the new blog post didn’t divulge pricing, preorder information, or a specific launch date for the FlexStrike, but if you’re attending EVO 2025, you’ll be able to see the fight stick in-person during the event–though you won’t be able to actually go hands-on with the controller yet. Sony says even more details will be revealed over the coming months, so we expect to know the price and finalized release date soon. Expect preorders to open shortly thereafter.
The FlexStrike reveal is notable for several reasons, the most obvious being that this is PlayStation’s first official fight stick peripheral. The PS5 has plenty of excellent fight sticks to pick from–including PDP’s Victrix Pro FS and its leverless sibling, the Pro FS-12–but we’re curious to see how a PS5-dedicated model made specifically by Sony will stack up to the third-party options.
The June 4, 2025 PlayStation State of Play had several other exciting fighting game announcements, including the reveal of Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls, a 4v4 team fighting game developed by Arc System Works and featuring a roster of Marvel characters, releasing on PS5 and PC in 2026. Digital Eclipse also announced the Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection, which compiles numerous classic Mortal Kombat titles–including arcade, home console, and handheld editions–plus exclusive behind-the-scenes content. The Mortal Kombat Legacy Kollection launches on PS5 and PS4 later in 2025.
Editor’s Note: This article was updated on July 28 with new information on the FlexStrike name reveal EVO 2025 information.
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